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MONTREAL– Defenseman Andrei Markov is the recipient of the Molson Cup for the third segment of the 2005-06 season, as he was named the Player of the Month for December.

Markov collected 20 points in Molson Cup standings, as he receives the honor for the second time of the season. He was also named Player of the Month for October.

Markov registered 10 points in 10 games in December (two goals, eight assists), including a six-game point streak (1-6-7) from Dec.10-23. He recorded his 100th career assist on Dec. 31 in Carolina, and played his 300th NHL game on Dec. 30 in Florida.

The Russian blueliner leads Canadiens defensemen in scoring with 23 points in 34 games (five goals, 18 assists) in addition to having logged a team-leading 24:44 average ice-time so far this season.

Markov is currently tied with goaltender Jose Theodore in the 2005-06 Molson Cup standings with 40 points just ahead of Alex Kovalev (35 points) and Saku Koivu (30 points).

A presentation honoring the Molson Cup winner will take place prior to Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, on Jan. 3 at the Bell Centre.